Lunar Eclipse Feb. 20

Posted February 16th, 2008 by Webmaster

The weather isn't looking promising but weather or not {get it?} the sky cooperates, there will be a total lunar eclipse Wednesday night, Feb. 20. Given clear skies, it's a show not to be missed and it's a "prime time" event!

You can get a great view of it from their own back yard without need of a telescope. If the sky is clear just step outside and look at the Moon at about 9 PM when the eclipse (technically already underway) should begin to become noticeable. Check back occasionally over the next hour or so as the Moon moves deeper into Earth's shadow. Adding to the spectacle will be the bright ringed planet Saturn which will shine like a golden star near the then-darkened Moon. By 10:00 the Moon will be in full eclipse. It won't begin to brighten again until about 11:00 and will be back to its full brilliance in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

The next total lunar eclipse visible from here will take place in the early morning hours of December 21, 2010.

An observing chart and more details are available via several online sources. Here are two very good resources: